Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Wednesday, Dec. 12

The 2018 Dumpster Fire Bowl takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday, with the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals heading to town to battle the equally inept 4-9 Atlanta Falcons. It’s been tough sledding for both of these Birds, and with each team completely out of it in the playoff picture, this game has heavy implications for draft positioning. For all of the storylines as we prepare for it, here’s Wednesday’s Falcoholinks.

So long, season

It’s been a long, troubling road for these Atlanta Falcons, and our Cory Woodroof penned a fitting epitaph for a losing season that was sealed with the loss to the Green Bay Packers. Cory adroitly highlights that changes are certainly forthcoming for the Falcons as they turn to 2019, but maintains that the current fractures within this franchise will not undermine the team’s foundation. It’s worth a read to start your Wednesday.

Snap counts and such

Last week we implored the coaching staff to increase the playing time for the Falcons’ rookies, and on Sunday we began to see some variance in the personnel. Isaiah Oliver was brought in as a result of Robert Alford’s poor play, and we should continue to see a mix of both going forward.

Eric Saubert and Brian Hill surprisingly received snaps at fullback, signaling that the team has moved on from Ricky Ortiz at the position and may be looking at possibilities for next season.

‘Tis the season for coach firings

This morning it was announced that Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo had lost his job, and The Falcoholic’s Matt Chambers wonders if Steve Sarkisian is next. Sark’s play-calling during this five game stretch has been incredibly ineffective, especially in important situations. The Falcons aren’t known for in-season firings, but with the way this team is playing it’s certainly a possibility — especially in the case of Steve Sarkisian. One potential replacement option? Gary Kubiak.

In that same vein, The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz explores likely coaching and player moves as we (thankfully) near the end of the season.

Reasons to keep watching

Yes, we’ve gotten to the point where we have to elucidate the reasons to maintain a visible interest in this team for the last three games. It’s that bad. Dave Choate provides five reasons to continue watching the Falcons, many of them focusing on the progression of young players and the sheer interest of what takes place on the football field when the coaches just say “Screw it.”

This will be a difficult three weeks, but it’s the Falcons, which means it will be at the very least interesting in the most infuriating way possible.